PHOTO: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members Mrs. Dolores Booker and Mrs. Shirley Wilcox were featured speakers at an afternoon tea celebrating 50 years of the African American Collection at Seattle Public Library’s Douglass-Truth Branch. Mrs.Wilcox and Mrs. Booker were on the committee 50 years ago which first proposed and donated the collection to the library. The sorority donated $1908 dollars to Douglas-Truth Library at this year’s tea in honor of the forming of the sorority in 1908 at Howard University. (Photo by Susan Fried)

The Seattle Public Library will host poetry slams for teens and adults in October at The Seattle Public Library, Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.

See below for a schedule of "Live Lines Reel Poetry: Seattle Public Library Slams!" events at the Central Library.

Teen Slam with featured teen poet Travis Thompson6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 in the Level 4, Washington Mutual Foundation Meeting Room 1. For ages 13 to 19. Teen poets will compete with three-minute performances of their own work. Winning poets will compete in a Grand Slam event from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at the Central Library.

Adult Slam featuring "Poetry Everywhere: Short Animated Poetry Films"6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 in the Level 4, Washington Mutual Foundation Meeting Room 1. For ages 20 and up. Adult poets will compete with three-minute performances of their own work. Winning poets will compete in a Grand Slam event from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at the Central Library. Featured film will be "Poetry Everywhere," a series of short poetry films with animations of much-loved poems.

Grand Slam featuring breakdancing performance by Vicious Puppies Crew6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 in the Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium. For ages 13 and up. Winning teens and adults from the two qualifying slams on Oct. 3 and 10 will compete for the grand prize with three-minute performances of their own work. Grand Slam winners will be chosen by judges from Youth Speaks, Seattle Poetry Slam, Rain City Slam and Poet to the People. The audience will vote on a Wild Card winner.

For more information, call the Central Library at 206-386-4636 or Ask a Librarian.

ARTISTS UP at the Northwest African American Museum

To continue reaching communities new to regional arts service agencies, ARTISTS UP will host a free session to connect and inform African and African American artists throughout Seattle, King County and Washington State.

The event is Monday, Oct. 6 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Northwest African American Museum , 2300 S. Massachusetts St. Artists creating dance, literature, media, music, theater, visual and public art are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.

The event is designed to share best practices through peer learning, build connections between artists and funders, and demystify funding programs and processes. The event is hosted by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, 4 Culture and Artist Trust.

Attendees that require translation, activities for school-aged children, accommodation or alternative format for a disability (facility is accessible) should notify the presenting organizations no later than end of day, Oct. 1.

The Seattle Parks Foundation hosts a free seminar on estate planning for women on Thursday, Oct. 9. There are two seminar times and locations to choose from: 1 to 3 p.m. at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave NE; and 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. at Seattle Public Library - Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave S.

In the U.S., women live an average of five years longer than men and often have the final say in how much of their family wealth will go to loved ones, favorite causes and community foundations. In this free seminar, estate planning attorney Mark Reinhardt of Rehberg Law Group will answer your questions and explain how women of all ages can update or begin their charitable planning.

Local father-daughter writing team Charles and Elisheba Johnson discuss their character Emery Jones, Boy Science Wonder, in the book "Bending Time" from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 at The Seattle Public Library, Lake City Branch, 12501 28th Ave. N.E.

Library events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Free parking is available in the underground garage. This event is for children and their parents."Bending Time" tells the story of Emery, a young African-American science wiz who has a fantastic adventure in time travel. He also learns how to respond to bullying at school. "Bending Time" is the first book in the planned series, "The Adventures of Emery Jones: Boy Science Wonder."

Charles Johnson is a novelist, essayist and emeritus professor at the University of Washington. He wrote "Middle Passage," the winner of the National Book Award in 1990. Elisheba Johnson currently serves as executive and commissions liaison for the Office of Arts and Culture in Seattle. She writes "Curating a Life," a parenting blog, creates mixed media art and is the former owner and curator of Seattle’s Faire Gallery Café.

For more information, call the Lake City Branch at 206-684-7518 or Ask a Librarian.

Secure Your Id Day Coming To Tacoma

Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington is teaming up with Wells Fargo to host Secure Your ID Day on Oct. 18, 9 a.m. – 1p.m. at the Tacoma Mall Parking Lot.

Mobile shredding trucks will be on-site accepting up to three bags or boxes of unwanted documents per person. Please note that cardboard and three-ring binders cannot be accepted.BBB staff will be available to answer questions about preventing identity theft and provide resources for victims. View BBB’s suggested Records Retention Schedule to see how long to keep personal information before shredding.

BBB advises consumers to educate themselves about online security. For more security tips and the latest alerts, visit BBB.org.

Seattle Public Schools Offers “Breakfast-to-Go” for Students

Seattle Public Schools launched a new free Breakfast-to-Go program today at Aki Kurose Middle School. A mobile kiosk is positioned near the front entrance, where students can head to the cafeteria or grab a breakfast bag from the kiosk. The Breakfast-to-Go meals are packed with healthy convenient options including whole wheat bagels with cream cheese, low-fat yogurt with cereal and a honey wheat breakfast bar. Fruit, lowfat milk and juice are also offered with each meal.

The Breakfast-to-Go pilot program is supported by grants received by the district’s Nutrition Services Department, from Action for Healthy Kids and United Way of King County. Aki Kurose is one of 14 schools in Seattle that offers a breakfast at no cost to all students, regardless of eligibility for free, reduced or full pay meals. It is the first school to offer the kiosk option. A similar Breakfast-to-Go kiosk is in the works for Rainier Beach High School.

The workshops are free and open to the public. Registration is not required for most events. Free parking is available at the branches. See below for the workshop schedule and descriptions or visit the Sharing Our Stories page.

CHILDREN

Campfire Songs and StoriesJoin local singer-songwriter Nancy Stewart for a fun-filled evening with a new twist on an old tradition! Sing songs, share stories and make your own s’mores. For all ages.6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Northgate Branch, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E., 206-386-1980.

Teasin' Pleasin' Tales: Stories to Delight and TreasureDebra Harris-Branham will tell animated and participatory folktales from around the world, with a special focus on African and African-American tales. For all ages.2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the University Branch, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-684-4063.

TEENS

RadioActive: A two-day journalism workshopOver a two-day period, teens will record and edit audio, write a script and record their voices in KUOW’s professional studios. Plan to attend both days. For ages 13 to 19. Registration is required; call 206-684-4063 to sign up.10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the University Branch, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-684-4063.11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 at the KUOW Studio, 4518 University Way NE, Suite 310.

'Invisible Young' Film Screening & Panel DiscussionWatch an award-winning documentary film about four young adults, all of whom lived on the Seattle streets as teenagers. After the film, stay for a panel discussion featuring director Steve Keller along with homeless and formerly-homeless youth. For teens and adults.1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at the University Branch, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-684-4063.

Your Mostly True, 100% Awesome Story: A Comics WorkshopCreate a mini-comic based on your own true story with the help of local comic book artist, David Lasky. For ages 12 to 19.5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the Lake City Branch, 12501 28th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7518.

ADULTS

Seattle Storytellers GuildJoin Cynthia Westby and the Seattle Storytellers Guild for a brief introduction to the art of storytelling, then listen to experienced storytellers or share your own story.6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Northgate Branch, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E., 206-386-1980.

Family History StorytellingEvery family has interesting stories. Learn how to tell them in this innovative workshop presented by Mahina Oshie, genealogy librarian.6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Northeast Branch, 6801 35th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7539

Storytelling with Fresh Ground StoriesJoin Paul Currington and Fresh Ground Stories for an afternoon celebrating true, first-person storytelling inspired by The Moth Radio Hour. The story theme will be: Lessons Learned.3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at the University Branch, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-684-4063.

This program series is presented in partnership with KUOW, the Burke Museum, Seattle Storyteller’s Guild, Fresh Ground Stories and The Seattle Public Library Foundation.

A One Day Communiversity on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Everett Community College from 9 AM – 4 PM. This “Communiversity” is a day of learning for everyone. Attendees will be able to explore the connections between land, water and the people of Snohomish County with 19 presentation options during the day. Attendees will have a chance to select from sessions as diverse as “Orca Tribes of the Salish Sea” to “What is Biochar?”. All sessions are led by experts in their field who will share the latest information available. You don’t need to be a scientist to attend – the ‘communiversity’ is for everyone!

David Dilgard, History Specialist with Everett Public Libraries, presents the keynote session on Port Gardner and Beyond – A Place Across Centuries and Cultures. He will set the tone for Sound Living 2014 by delving into the growth and development of Snohomish County and the waters that adjoin it, from prehistory through the present. He will attempt to describe the ways in which the patterns of early settlement were shaped by the waters and waterways and how those natural patterns were subsequently shaped by settlement and development. In many cases the consequences of patterns that commenced long ago are very much with us today. A sampling of the other topics that are being held throughout the day include:

Educational displays set up by local organizations and agencies will offer additional information about their work and Puget Sound.

Registration is $30.00 on/before October 18th. There is a reduced fee of $20.00 for students, teachers and military personnel. Walk-in registrations are available for an additional $5 above the pre-registration fee. Lunch is available for purchase upon registration, or you can bring your own. On-line registration closes on October 18, but registration, with cash or check, at the door is welcome.

This program is funded by a grant from Washington Department of Ecology. While the materials were reviewed for grant consistency, this does not necessarily constitute endorsement by the Department.

WSU Extension programs are open to all without discrimination.

HealthFest Offers Health and Wellness Options for Individuals and their Families

The first ever HealthFest at Seattle Center offers a broad range of free information and services for individuals and their families to help them achieve healthier lives, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 – 26, in Seattle Center Armory.

The two-day resource fair welcomes the whole community to connect with local health, human, and social service providers – over 40 exhibitors and presenters in all. HealthFest offers free flu shots, health screenings and emergency preparedness tips. Participants may find help in navigating health insurance, collect valuable nutritional and fitness ideas, and join in discussions on health and wellness.

HealthFest highlights:

Group Visits, presented hourly on health topics like contraception, gastritis, skin care, back and neck pain and what the Affordable Healthcare Act means to individuals and families.

Seminars that empower individuals to develop more mindful eating patterns such as preparation of unfamiliar local winter vegetables, health impacts of processed foods, and tips on deciphering food labeling.

Free, professional one-on-one financial education and referrals to help people improve their financial stability and achieve their life goals.

Information about basic food programs, energy assistance and utility discounts, and free/low cost medical benefits in Seattle and King County.

Assistance with mental health resources, diagnosis, and support in the area.

An Opportunity to register for Optimizing PTSD Treats, a clinical trial offering no-cost, state-of-the-art psychotherapy to all study participants.

HealthFest is presented in parallel with Seattle/King County Clinic with Remote Area Medical®offering a broad range of free medical, dental and vision clinic to anyone in need, Oct. 23 – 26, at KeyArena. More information on HealthFest, as well as the Seattle/King County Clinic, is available at www.seattlecenter.org or by calling 206-684-7200.

Annual “ReLeaf” Event Focuses on Clark Lake Park

A portion of Clark Lake Park’s 130 acres will receive some volunteer attention on Saturday, October 11 at the annual “ReLeaf” event from 9 a.m. until noon, rain or shine. Volunteers are asked to park at the East Hill Maintenance Shops, 12607 SE 248th St., and shuttle vans will take them to the site.

Kent Parks has been holding a “ReLeaf” volunteer event at this natural area since 2002. Centered by a sparkling lake and surrounded by development, the park has forested trails, open meadows, a stream and wetlands that provide habitat for numerous species of wildlife. Trained Green Kent Partnership Stewards and other volunteers help care for specific areas of the park, removing invasive weeds, planting appropriate native trees, shrubs or groundcover, and maintaining their sections. This year, ReLeaf volunteers will be returning to an un-stewarded area that was cleared and planted during last year’s event but needs additional maintenance and plants.

No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome to participate. Limited tools are provided, plus water and coffee/hot chocolate provided by Starbucks at 4th & Meeker. Register by noon October 8 at KentWA.gov/ComeVolunteer. For more information, contact 253-856-5113.

Kent is the sixth largest city in Washington with a population of over 120,000. A culturally rich destination, Kent features captivating neighborhoods, award-winning parks, exceptional school districts and nationally accredited police and fire departments. In recent years, Kent has experienced impressive economic growth, and is nationally known as a prime location for manufacturing. For more information, visit KentWA.gov.